Californo Blog

Think about your food truck concept. Will a wood fired oven make your concept stand out more? Yes, it is well known that a wood fired oven can really make a difference to the taste of your food. But does it make sense for your concept?

Naples, the birthplace of the modern pizza, has cause for celebration. Traditional Neapolitan pizza, ‘Pizza Napoletana’, has been awarded a quality ‘Traditional Speciality Guaranteed’ (TSG) certification from the European Commission’s TSG committee.

Pizzerias that sell Neapolitan pizza in Europe and wish to use the TSG label must now conform to a series of regulations. These regulations cover not only the preparation and cooking of the pizza but the use of traditional ingredients.

Historic Ruling for Authentic Italian Pizza

The historic ruling is the product of years of lobbying by Neapolitan pizza-makers. Traditional pizzerias have fought for years to protect the authenticity of their Neapolitan pizza recipe.

Italian Agriculture Minister Luca Zaia hailed the decision. In a statement he said; "Europe has awarded the work and the tenacity of Neapolitan producers… for a product that too often and too long has been the subject of bad imitations that have nothing to do with the true Pizza Napoletana”.

Traditional Recipe of Pizza Napoletana

According to the new ruling, a true Pizza Napoletana must have:

• a round shape;
• a diameter of less than 35 cm;
• a raised golden-brown border between 1 and 2 cm;
• a base that is flexible and easily bent;
• tomato sauce perfectly blended with extra virgin olive oil, oregano, and fresh basil;
• mozzarella – ideally certified buffalo mozzarella – in close and evenly-spaced blobs

The pizzaiolo, or pizza maker, must also be up to the task of creating an authentic Pizza Napoletana. The pizza dough must be hand-stretched in quick, even movements to maintain its shape. Regulations also ban the use of rolling pins and other machinery. Finally, pizzaiolos must cook Pizza Napolenta in a traditional wood-fired pizza oven.

History of Pizza Napoletana

It is thought that the recipe for Pizza Napoletana evolved between 1715 and 1725 when it was one of the most common foods in the grand kingdom of Naples. A Neapolitan chef also created Pizza Margherita to honor the Queen Consort Margherita of Italy in the late nineteenth century.

They say it’s easy to bake a pizza in the comfort of your own home. And sure, it can be. Once you have your dough ready, it’s as simple as putting on your toppings and turning on the oven. 

But for many, getting homemade pizza dough ready for topping is an issue.

Here is a step-by-step guide to make stretching dough easier.

1. Warm up Your Dough Until It’s at Room Temperature

Often, you will need to warm your dough up for at least half an hour before it’s ready to stretch. This is because gluten is looser when warm. As a result, warm pizza is easier to stretch out. 

If You Bought Your Dough From the Store

Take your dough out of its packaging. Then, place it in a bowl that has been prepped with olive oil to reduce sticking. Next, make sure the bowl is covered, then let the dough warm up for at least half an hour.

If You Made Your Own Dough

After the first rise, and after you have split your dough into portions, you can start warming your dough. 

2. To Prevent Sticking, Use Olive Oil Instead of Flour

Once your dough is relaxed and ready for stretching, prep your hands and workspace with olive oil. You will likely only need about 2 or 3 tablespoons of oil. This will prevent the dough from sticking. It will also help your dough achieve a delicious crispy golden crust in the oven.

You can also take this opportunity to line the sheet pan or pizza peel with parchment paper. Don’t have parchment paper? Not to worry! You can also sprinkle cornmeal on your surface to get the same effect.

3. Press, Then Stretch

Before stretching your dough, you need to flatten it into a disk.

1. Use the heel of your palm to flatten the dough into a large disk.
2. Then, press the dough. Move from the center outwards using both your hands. Aim for a flat disk about six inches wide and a half inch thick. At this point, the dough shouldn’t shrink when pressed. 
3. Rest your dough again. You might find your dough shrinking a bit. This is normal. However, if your dough snaps back, then rest it for another 15-20 minutes. Then, try step 2 again. Repeat this until the dough keeps its shape.

4. Use Both Hands

Don’t use your knuckles to stretch the dough, and don’t toss the dough up in the air. It may look impressive, but it’s difficult to get right. Instead, carefully pick the dough up. Hold it by one edge with both your hands, allowing the rest of the dough to hang down. Then, gently rotate the dough. Gravity will help your stretching here, so work quickly. Make sure to also keep an eye on how thick your dough is. Your goal is a disk of dough measuring roughly 11 inches wide and about ⅓ of an inch thick.

5. Put the Dough on the Pizza Peel, Then Top Your Pizza

Move your dough to your sheet pan or pizza peel. Next, pinch any thin or torn areas closed.
It’s not a problem if the edges of your pizza dough aren’t thicker than the center. The crust will puff up in the oven, while the center will be weighed down by toppings.

The rise in popularity of food trucks isn't just for consumers—it's a growing trend for entrepreneurs, and for good reason. Mobile pizza trailers offer distinct advantages over traditional brick-and-mortar pizzerias.

Greater Versatility

Versatility is one of the reasons why food trucks are so popular. For example, as a business owner, you will probably want to update your business’ branding at some point. It is much easier to redecorate a food truck than it is to renovate a restaurant. It is also more cost-effective. This flexibility allows for easier rebranding, a crucial aspect for any business.

Fewer Overhead Costs

Compared to sit-in restaurants, food trucks boast significantly lower overhead costs. With fewer staff requirements, daily labor costs are notably reduced. Unlike brick-and-mortar establishments with sizable employee teams, most food trucks operate with only a handful—typically around five—employees at any given time. This efficiency translates to larger profit margins.

They Give Your Business Increased Mobility

The ability to relocate offers substantial advantages for any business. Imagine having the freedom to move your restaurant to the busiest spots at any time, any day. This mobility is the essence of a successful food truck and pizza trailer—being exactly where your customers are. Moreover, it facilitates participation in local events like food festivals, conferences, and state fairs, expanding your customer base significantly.

Traditional sit-in restaurants simply can't match the benefits of food trucks. Whether you're starting a new business or expanding your current one, explore Californo's mobile pizza trailers for an innovative and profitable venture.

Food trucks have benefits that traditional sit-in restaurants simply can’t give you.  Whether you're starting a new business or expanding your current one, explore Californo’s mobile pizza trailers for an innovative and profitable venture!

There is something undeniably romantic about cooking outdoors over a burning fire. Generally, we have an outdoor party in the summer. But there is no reason you can’t have a great outdoor party, even when it’s snowing. Even when temperatures drop below freezing, cooking outside by your wood fired oven offers a more interactive cooking experience. In many ways, it’s like having dinner with a show! 

Here are some tips for hosting an outdoor party in the winter.

Use Your Wood Fired Oven But Keep the Meals Simple

Choose meals that go well with slow cooking. In fact, the longer and slower the better. One of the great advantages of a wood fired oven is that it’s easy to maintain heat for hours of slow cooking. That means you can cook a variety of foods, from brisket to sourdough breads. You can also add wood chips to enhance flavor. It’s also a good idea to cook some sides, such as roasted potatoes, cauliflower, and mushrooms, for a more satisfying meal.

Keep the Drinks Simple, Too

There is nothing better than a glass of warm mulled cider, or a dark spirit by the fire. Not only are these drinks easy to serve, they are also a great source of warmth! 

Look to Street Food for Inspiration

Oven roasted chestnuts are a cold weather delicacy in most of Europe and Asia. And there is no better way to roast chestnuts than in a wood fired oven. 

Start by cutting a small x on the underside of your chestnuts, using a sharp knife. Then, place the chestnuts on a pizza pan, and put them in your wood fired oven. Cook for 7-8 minutes at about 500°F. Depending on the age of the chestnuts, you might need to cook them for longer. You will know when they’re done because the skill and shells will pop open and curl back. Once they have cooled to the touch, peel and enjoy!

Make Sure Your Guests Don’t Freeze

Everyone loves feeling cozy, especially in the winter. Stock up on quality wool blankets, so your guests can drape themselves in soft, fuzzy warmth by the candlelight. You should also make sure you’re not making your guests sit on freezing metal furniture by bringing in some cushions from indoors. Alternatively, you can also provide your guests with Lava Buns, which can be microwaved to stay warm for up to 6 hours. But overall, fire is still the number one way to stay warm. After all, your wood fired oven is sure to be the centerpiece of your winter patio.

Keep the Lights On

Days are short during the winter. So it might be a good idea to start your party in the early afternoon. Otherwise, make sure that the way to your party is lit. Lanterns and fairy lights are great for this.

Make Sure the Kids Don’t Get Bored

Snow is entertaining. So encourage any kids in your outdoor party to create snow angels, snowmen, and snow forts. You can even create an obstacle course out of the snow to keep children and adults entertained. If you don’t have enough snow in your area for that, you can also keep lawn games handy.